Captain Steven Gerrard believes England will get better once they become more accustomed to life under new head coach Roy Hodgson after beating Norway 1-0 in Oslo.
Ashley Young's first half goal was sufficient to earn England victory in the first game of the Hodgson era. But Gerrard, handed the captaincy by Hodgson, is confident of improvement with the Euro 2012 opener against France in Donetsk now just 16 days away.
Gerard said: "It was a satisfying night overall, if you look at the result and the clean sheet, for my first game as official captain and Roy's first game. We know that we can play better than that. Hopefully once we get used to the manager a bit more, and have more of his training sessions, and the message hits home a bit more, we will improve."
He added: "The more we get used to the manager, then better performances will come. When every manager comes in, there is a bit of pressure on and it is always important to start well.
"There were quite a few positives to take from tonight."
Young settled the issue with a fierce low drive after linking up well with Andy Carroll.
The Manchester United player said: "Getting on the scoresheet is always nice and it's a good habit to get into.
"But we are preparing for the Euros now and it is important that good things come out of the games.
"I think it was pleasing the way we kept our shape. We defend as a team and there were combinations throughout the team which worked well throughout."
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I recall hearing this many times before from Mr Gerrard who along with most of the England players over the past few years has way underachieved for his Country. My advice would be cut the talking, get your finger out and put in a shift--this is England you are playing for (the founders of the game) not some mickey mouse football nation who have no football history.
maybe we will, when you realise how bad you are in an England shirt, like John Barnes
lets face it to be worse is a big ask,and i dont think we will ever win anything again,until we have a decent FA. And not the old clueless farts we have now.
Stevie ...... give the armband to JT, and get on with YOUR game. Martin Peters in 1974 took the captaincy, and led England to disaster in Cracow, while being THE finest midfield player in England (and probably Europe) at that time. Let Terry worry about the team. He loves that stuff! Meanwhile, Steve, play YOUR game and give England a performance to be proud of.
we wont get better with roy and his woefull selections eg henderson carrol downing green there are far better players who must feel insulted by this fools selection only hope they dont humilliate us to much
aston merrygold would put this lot of under achievers to shame , he was excellent last night in the pro celeb at Old Trafford , probably tooo attack minded for roy
Stevie G is the best ever.
Past it, over-rated & hyped "has been" who seems to have a lot to say for himself of late. Probably eyeing up this "Ambassador's Role" they plan on giving him at Anfield when he calls it a day. Woeful for Liverpool this season, NEVER produces for England against the "big hitters", and judging by his shameful & predictable "Starfish" dive in The Cup Final v Chelsea, and last nite's Studs-up special, is well & truly back to his old ways, making a mockery of ludicrous plaudits such as " Best player in the World", "Best player in the history of Liverpol Football Club", "Role Model", "Captain Fantastic".
Err, we won't get better Steve, everyone knows that.
PMSL at Gerrard.
Anyone But England
Gerrard hasn't done anything over the last 2 years to even justify his selection.
I thought Gerrard is spot on, they tried out a few players and got some feedback, it was a friendly, that's how friendlies play out. Some good positive for England, after many negative comments Carroll had a great game, Jags had a good game and Baines.... Milner didnt have a great game, I havent seen him have a good game for a long time, get Adam Johnson going down the right and give him some confidence. This comes from an unbiased Welshman, I hope England do well for the Captain and Manager.
Dogruf is a big faggot, Gerrard is far better than any footballer you ever know in your life... !
Gerry i have a feeling Mark is from Jock land......................
Mark, did you not watch the germs last night. Show us how its not done. And you make a statement like this after the game had been played. Now thats a peice of genious or was you bladdered.
better yea better get knocked out early doors,ha ha ha gerrard should be the captain,but look at the rest of the squad around him total naff. C'MON "GERMANY SHOW EM HOW IT'S DONE"
So the message from the captain is "hopefully we can get better when we get used to the manager"! this is essentially the same group of players that have played together for years...if they could have got better they would have by now. From the brief bit I could be bothered to watch Gerrard should have ben sent off for a two footed tackle and England were completely out-played in te second half and managed to hang on, nothing new to see here.
Gerrard should not be playing for England!!!!! Along with Ferdinand,Terry and Lampard. They are plain and simply too big for their boots with bad attitude. Get rid Roy as they could distroy you.
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